• briefing asia infrastructure aug 15, 2006 • briefing asia energy aug 15, 2006

investigators reported no technical problems with the aircraft and the company still intends to launch it internationally this year. The Swiss air force is considering buying six aircraft for delivery in 2007. The aircraft is a strong contender to meet training needs in Thailand, the UAE and the UK, and is believed to have already been shortlisted to contest a Singaporean requirement against Aermacchi?s M311 jet.
RAYTHEON
Raytheon Company, 870 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451-1449, USA. Tel [phone]; fax [phone]; www.raytheon.com
ASTOR
Raytheon Systems was selected in 1999 to provide the UK?s Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) system, now referred to as the Sentinel R1. A SAR/MTI radar is mounted in a Bombardier Global Express long-range business jet, with this to replace some of the capabilities of the RAF?s English Electric Canberra PR9s.
It had been intended that Raytheon would install a functioning radar into the first of five production aircraft in August 2004, but engineering problems delayed this milestone. A full-up system test was successfully completed of the air and ground components in September 2005. Raytheon and the RAF expect the first aircraft to be formally delivered in October 2006, with all five to be in service by late 2008.
Based on the ASARS-2 radar carried by the USAF?s Lockheed U-2s, the ASTOR sensor incorporates technologies developed for Raytheon?s HiSAR radar; the SAR integrated with Northrop Grumman?s RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV.
Raytheon is also marketing an international version of the ASTOR system dubbed the Ground Surveillance Airborne Radar System, with elements involved in the unsuccessful Co-operative Transatlantic AGS Solution bid for NATO?s Alliance Ground Surveillance requirement.
T-6
Raytheon won the USAF/USN Joint Primary Aircraft Training System competition in 1995 with a development of the Pilatus PC-9, now named the T-6A Texan II. The aircraft differs from its Swiss forebear by having a strengthened fuselage, pressurised cockpit, digital avionics, GPS navigation, terrain collision avoidance system and provision for a HUD. The USAF and USN want 454 and 328 T-6s respectively, and firm orders have so been placed for 418 aircraft.
The type is also in operation with the Bombardier-managed NATO Flying Training in Canada programme as the T-6A-7 Harvard (26 aircraft) and 45 are in Greek air force service.
The first T-6A was handed to the USAF?s Air Education and Training Command at Randolph AFB, Texas in March 2000 and the USN began T-6 operations in 2003. By April 2006 the USAF will have 251 aircraft in service and the USN 49 T-6As. However, the navy failed to secure funding for the last 60 aircraft from its requirement in the 2006 Pentagon budget.
Raytheon is now promoting an advanced T-6B version to export customers and the US military, with this having enhanced avionics, new cockpit displays, improved computers and HUD. The T-6B can also be used for light-attack tasks.
RSK MIG
RSK MiG, 71st Botkinsky Drive, Moscow 125040, Russia. Tel [phone]; fax [phone]
MiG-AT
Although RSK MiG lost the Russian air force?s advanced trainer competition to Yakovlev?s Yak-130, it continues to offer the MiG-AT. PZL Mielec and RSK MiG signed a memorandum of agreement in February 2004 to jointly produce the aircraft at Mielec to meet Poland?s advanced jet trainer requirement for potential F-16 pilots. However, a lease of surplus Western aircraft or involvement in Aermacchi?s M346 project now seems a more likely choice. Algeria was negotiating a purchase of 80 MiG-ATs but instead selected the Yak-130.
The two-seat MiG-AT is powered by twin turbofans. The prototype was rolled out in May 1995 and flew for the first time in March 1997. France is heavily involved in the programme, with Snecma/Turbomeca providing the Larzac engines and Thales the avionics. RSK MiG has outlined plans for combat trainer and single-seat light attack versions.
MiG-21
The MiG-21 was built in greater numbers than any other jet fighter and many remain in service worldwide. Romanian examples have been upgraded by Aerostar and Israel?s Elbit Systems, while Israel Aircraft Industries also offers modernisation programmes.
Indian air force MiG-21s were upgraded in co-operation with RSK MiG and the Nizhny Novgorod Sokol State Aircraft Plant in Russia. The first flight of the so-called MiG-21-93 was conducted by the Sokol plant in October 1998. Hindustan Aeronautics was then contracted to modify 123 fighters and they were scheduled to be converted by mid-2005. A similar upgrade is to be conducted on Algeria?s MiG-21s as part of a major arms package with Russia agreed in March 2006, while Libyan examples are being overhauled in Ukraine. Poland phased its MiG-21s out of service in 2004 and the Czech Republic followed suit in 2005. India plans to retire around 70 MiG-21 trainers.
MiG-23/27
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) completed production of MiG-27Ms for the Indian air force in 1997, bringing to a close manufacture of the variable-geometry, single-engine type. Despite the retirement of most MiG-23s, some companies ? including Israel Aircraft Industries and RSK MiG ? are offering upgrades to the MiG-27. HAL is in the process of upgrading up to 135 MiG-27Ms with a mix of French, Indian and Israeli systems. Ukraine?s Odessa Aviation Repair Services plant is also upgrading 18 Angolan MiG-27MLs, adding Saphir 23 radars and extending service life.
MiG-29
Long the mainstay of the Soviet and Russian air forces in air-defence and ground-attack roles, the MiG-29 is now the subject of several upgrade efforts to extend its service life.
The S/SD/SE/SM versions have improved avionics over earlier models and can use a range of TV- or laser-guided weapons. Options not available on earlier MiG-29s include AAR, which was developed for Malaysia, and multi-target engagement capability. The basic MiG-29A has no air-to-ground ability beyond unguided rockets and iron bombs. An enhanced version with all-axis thrust-vectoring engines, dubbed the MiG-29OVT or MiG-35 is being offered to India as a solution to its requirement for 126 new fighters. India is also proposing to spend $890 million upgrading its existing fleet of MiG-29s.
Around 200 Russian air force MiG-29s are to be upgraded to the SMT standard. This is based around the Phazotron Zhuk-M multimode radar and a 1553B databus equivalent, which is incorporated to allow the use of as many Western-developed weapons and avionics as possible. Funding problems are still preventing the programme from swinging into full-scale production to allow the aircraft to enter frontline service with the Russian air force.
The first MiG-29 to be upgraded to the multirole BM standard for Belarus ? a similar standard to the SMT ? flew in July 2003, but the long-term prospects for the programme are threatened by funding problems. RSK MiG is upgrading 12 aircraft to the SMT standard for Slovakia, with work on the first example recently completed. Work has also started to return five Serbian examples to service. Ukraine has held talks with Israeli and other international companies to upgrade 170 of its aircraft. Romania has put its MiG-29 fleet up for sale.
Yemen took delivery of the first export SMT version in late 2004 and is looking for additional aircraft. The Indian navy has 12 carrier-capable MiG-29Ks and four -KUB two-seat trainers on order for use on the service?s new aircraft carrier, with deliveries to start in 2007 and an option to acquire 30 more around 2010-15. A major boost for the MiG-29 project was a $1.6 billion deal with Algeria for 36 SMT-2 versions to be delivered from 2006, plus options for 20 more. As part of the deal, Algeria?s existing MiG-29s will be traded back to Russia for upgrade and re-sale.
MiG-31
RSK MiG received Russian air force funding to upgrade its MiG-31 interceptors to the multirole -31BM standard in April 2002, and flight-testing of two prototypes has been running for some time. The programme was delayed due to funding problems and cuts in Russia?s MiG-31 fleet announced in 2004 have placed the entire project in doubt. A reconnaissance version is now proposed as a replacement for the Russian air force?s MiG-25 photographic reconnaissance aircraft. One solution is an innovative project to exchange new-build reconnaissance MiG-31s for Algerian and Indian MiG-25s, which in turn will be refurbished and sold to Syria. India retired its last MiG-25s earlier this year in favour of using satellite reconnaissance data.
SAAB (table p62)
Saab Aircraft, Linkoping, SE-581 88, Sweden. Tel [phone]; fax + 46 13 182550; www.gripen.com
JAS39 Gripen
Saab?s fourth-generation combat aircraft achieved IOC with the Swedish air force in September 1997. Sweden has ordered a total of 204 JAS39 Gripens and over 120 had been delivered by early 2006.
The single- and two-seat JAS39C/D are now in production and evaluation for the Swedish air force is under way. The aircraft will feature advanced capabilities including datalinks, new IFF, AAR and precision-guided air-to-ground weapons to allow the aircraft to conduct expeditionary operations. AAR trials with a Lockheed Martin C-130 took place in December 2005. Weapons integration work with BGT?s IRIS-T AAM began in the same month and the first test-firing of an MBDA Meteor BVRAAM took place last month.
Defence cuts announced in 2004, and further retrenchment in 2006, mean the Swedish air force will have to dramatically scale back its fielding plans for the Gripen. The latest proposal will see the service operate just 100 of its aircraft ? predominantly C/Ds, with surplus platforms offered for sale or lease. The Czech Republic has leased 12 Cs and two Ds under a 10-year agreement, with all 14 aircraft received last year.
Hungary received its first of 14 remanufactured C/Ds in March 2006 under a similar lease-to-buy deal. The UK?s Empire Test Pilots? School also signed an initial two-year agreement in 2005 to lease 200h on the Gripen to support its training activities.
South Africa is so far the only export buyer of new Gripens, having selected the type in 2000 to meet a 28-aircraft requirement. Its first aircraft conducted its debut flight last November. Numerous other export campaigns are under way, including in Bulgaria, Denmark, India, Norway, Romania, Slovakia and Thailand.
Saab 340/2000 derivatives
The AEW&C version of the Saab 340 commuter aircraft is designated the S100B Argus in Swedish air force service. Six were delivered to the service between 1997-9. Four are fitted with Ericsson?s Erieye radar and the other two are fitted for, but not with, the sensor and are used as transports. The Swedish Air Force is installing Link 16 datalinks for interoperability with NATO.
Pakistan recently expressed interest in seven Erieye systems installed on Saab 2000 airframes, while Malaysia is mulling the use of Embraer or Saab platforms for its future AEW&C requirement. Thailand is also looking at the system.
SHAANXI AIRCRAFT
Shaanxi Aircraft Industry Group, P.O. Box 34, Hanzhong Shaanxi 723213, China. Tel [phone]; fax [phone]; www.shanfei.com
Y-8
China?s Y-8 development of the An-12 dates back to the late 1960s. Shaanxi Aircraft is co-operating with Antonov on the development of a new Y-8F600 variant, which is powered by four PW150B turboprops and expected to fly this year. The platform could also have application as a special-mission aircraft.
The Y-8J is an AEW variant fitted with a Racal/Thales Searchwater radar in an extended nose mount. At least two have been operational with the Chinese navy since 1999. Y-8X aircraft in service with the Chinese navy also conduct electronic eavesdropping missions and are equipped with a Litton AN/APS-504(V)3 surface search radar in an enlarged undernose radome.
A Y-8 aircraft dubbed the ?Balanced Beam Testbed? was also fitted with a phased-array radar, flying for the first time on 14 January 2005. The aircraft bears some resemblance to Sweden?s Saab 340-based AEW&C aircraft, with its sensor contained inside a large rectangular fairing above the fuselage.
SHENYANG
Shenyang Aircraft Industry Group, 1 Lingbei Street, Huanggu District, Shenyang 110034, Liaoning, China. Tel: [phone] Fax:[phone]; http://www.sactrade.com.cn
J-8/F-8
The J-8/F-8 is the focus of an upgrade programme, with Russian radar house Phazotron and missile supplier Vympel involved in the F-8IIM project.
A prototype J-8II first flew in 1996. Changes include a Russian Zhuk-8II radar, new cockpit with HOTAS controls, INS/GPS navigation, multifunction cockpit displays and more powerful WP-13AIII turbojets. Weapons include Chinese and Russian AAMs and the Kh-31 ASM. The F-8IIM was originally intended for export, although the Chinese air force may also purchase the aircraft.
The J-8II remains in production as the J-8D for China?s air force and has AAR capability. Work on J-8IIM upgrade projects appear to have stalled following the delivery of the Sukhoi Su-27/30 and other modern aircraft to the Chinese military. The Pentagon says China is experimenting with an unmanned version of the J-8 for combat roles.
SHINMAYWA
Shinmaywa Industries, 1-1 Shinmeiwa-cho, Takarazuka-shi, Hyogo-ken 665-8550, Japan. Tel [phone]; fax [phone]; www.shinmaywa.co.jp
US-2
Japan?s maritime forces have seven US-1A amphibians in the search-and-rescue role. An upgraded US-1A Kai variant was first flown in December 2003. ShinMaywa handed over its first prototype to the Japan Defence Agency (JDA) in March 2004. The aircraft was last year redesignated the US-2, with prototypes known as XUS-2s. The first prototype has been undergoing test flights by the JDA?s Technical Research and Development Institute at Iwakuni since March 2004.
Continued support for the programme is in doubt after Japan?s 2006 budget did not include funding to produce additional airframes. ShinMaywa is seeking permission to export fire-fighting ?water-bomber? versions.
SHIZIAZHUANG AIRCRAFT
Shiziazhuang Aircraft, No.19,Bei?erhuan West Road,Shijiazhuang,Hebei,China; Tel:86+311+7754251, Fax:86+311+7752993; http://www.samc.com.cn/samc/
Y-5C
Shiziazhuang continues to build versions of the An-2 biplane. The Chinese air force ordered 24 Y-5Cs in 1996 for paratroop training/transport. An upgraded Y-5B has improved avionics, communications and navigation equipment.
SUKHOI
Sukhoi Company, 23B, Polikarpov str. Moscow, 125284, Russia, p/b 604 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]; www.sukhoi.org
Su-22
Sukhoi?s swing-wing Su-22 has become the focus of upgrade packages offered by the manufacturer and Israel Aircraft Industries? Lahav division. Improvements include a pod-mounted FLIR and an active jammer housed in two pods and believed to be based on the Su-27?s Sorbtsiya system. Lahav?s upgrade has been selected by Poland ? potentially for a 40-aircraft deal ? and includes an Elta SAR, colour cockpit displays, wide-angle HUD and a new mission computer. The aircraft will also undergo structural upgrades to keep them serviceable until around 2015.
Vietnam is also upgrading its recently-acquired second-hand Su-22s and Peru is putting 19 of its aircraft through a service life-extension run by Russia?s Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Manufacturing Association. Belarus is looking to overhaul Su-22s operated in the Middle East.
Su-24
Russia is progressing with a modest upgrade for the two-seat, swing-wing Su-24M, with its Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association leading the effort. A HUD will be installed in the side-by-side cockpit and a new central computer and GPS navigation system incorporated.
Tests of an upgraded Su-24M started at the Akhtubinsk test centre. Weapons delivery trials are under way, but no decision has been made to upgrade the 320 aircraft in Russian service.
Algeria is reported to be interested in upgrading its inventory of Su-24s. Iran has meanwhile modified its aircraft to make them AAR-capable.
Su-25
The latest version of the Su-25 under development, the Su-25TM (Su-39) is an all-weather version of the Su-25T. In 2000, UUAPO of Ulan-Ude produced two Su-25TMs, while six operational Su-25s were upgraded to the same standard by the Russian air force. A further two single-seat and one twin-seat example were expected to undergo modernisation last year to the SM standard. Future Russian upgrades are expected to take place at Kubinka.
The Su-25 factory was in Georgia during the Soviet era. Now known as Tbilisi Aerospace Manufacturing, it has developed a Su-25 upgrade with Elbit Systems. The platform made its first flight in April 2001. Dubbed Scorpion, the upgraded Su-25KM has been modified with Elbit avionics. Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are reported to be interested in buying the KM version, and first deliveries to Turkmenistan are reported to have taken place in 2004. Macedonia is selling its four aircraft to Georgia.
Su-27
The Su-27 remains the mainstay of the Russian aircraft industry and has so far been exported to China, India and elsewhere, with several versions in service or development. Russia?s Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association, Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Manufacturing Association and Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association are all major players in Su-27 development and production.
Two batches ? amounting to 36 Su-27SK single-seaters and 40 Su-27UBK twin-seaters ? have been delivered to China and licence production has started on 200 J-11 versions of the SK, with 95 delivered by mid-2005. China has re-negotiated the configuration of the second batch of J-11s to incorporate the advanced features of the SM and MKK versions. The Russian navy?s carrier air-capability arm is equipped with Su-27K/33s. Su-27SK export derivatives have an air-to-ground strike capability.
Russia intends to modernise its fleet of Su-27s but efforts have been dogged by funding problems and false starts. The current Su-27SM effort uses technology developed for export versions of the Su-27 series. Single-seat SM versions are equipped with a glass cockpit similar to the front cockpit of China?s Su-30MKK multirole fighter and an upgraded weapons control system enabling use of precision-guided munitions.
The Russian air force chose the SM standard as the basis for its Su-27 upgrade in September 2002 and 11 upgraded aircraft had been delivered by the end of December 2005 from a contract for 24 to be completed during 2006. A follow-on deal to deliver additional SMs next year is expected later in 2006. The Russian air force is also now considering a more extensive modernisation package dubbed the Su-27BM.
In April 2006 the Mexican navy selected the Su-27 to meet its requirement for eight new air-defence and maritime strike fighters.
Su-30
The Su-30 project was initiated to develop a two-seat fighter-controller aircraft capable of providing targets for Su-27 interceptors via a datalink. The Su-30 was designed for the Soviet air-defence forces and a handful of aircraft have been delivered. Sukhoi is now working on an advanced version of the Su-30MK, dubbed the Su-35, to bridge the Russian air force?s capability gap until its new T-50 PAK FA enters service.
Export versions have been more successful. Deliveries of 50 Russian-produced Su-30K/MK/MKIs to India have been completed and the aircraft have acquitted themselves with some distinction against USAF Boeing F-15Cs in exercises. The full MKI specification, with thrust-vectoring and phased-array radar, is more akin to the thrust-vectoring variant of the Su-27M/35 than the basic Su-30.
India?s Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is now in the process of assembling its first of 140 MKIs under licence. The first 26 are being assembled from kits supplied from Russia, while the remainder will have progressively greater local content. Production is expected to run until 2017 with the progressive introduction of new systems and technology, including the Brahmos supersonic air-to-surface missile. Certification of the aircraft to the Su-30MKI-3 standard was achieved in early 2005, giving the type clearance to employ air-to-ground weapons including the Kh-31 and Kh-59. HAL?s first Su-30MKI was rolled out in November 2004 and delivered in March 2005.
China has ordered a similar aircraft, albeit with developed versions of the Russian avionics and without thrust vectoring, as the Su-30MKK. Work has begun on enhanced MK2 and MK3 versions for China, including the capability to designate laser-guided bombs and use reconnaissance pods. Some 24 Su-30MK2s ordered for China?s naval air arm were delivered in late 2004 and formal orders for the MK3 were expected last year.
Indonesia received its first four Su-30MKs in late 2003, but a subsequent order for another eight was cancelled. Malaysia has ordered the Su-30MKM for delivery in 2006-7 and Vietnam has ordered four MK2s for $100 million, plus eight options. Algeria became the latest customer in March 2006 when it ordered 28 Su-30MKAs for $1.2 billion. The Su-30 has also been offered to Thailand and MK versions made in India or Su-27Ks have been offered to Venezuela.
Su-32
Now officially designated the Su-32, a two-seat, side-by-side strike variant of the Su-27 was first exhibited in February 1992. The aircraft has also been referred to as the Su-27IB and Su-34. The similar Su-33UB is a side-by-side combat-capable trainer version of the navy?s Su-27SK.
The Su-32 is intended as a long-term replacement for the Su-24 long-range strike aircraft and Tupolev Tu-22M3 bomber in Russian air force service over the next 15 years. The Russian air force placed an order for 24 aircraft in March 2006 for delivery by 2007. FN and MF versions of the aircraft are now being offered for export.
T-50 PAK FA
In May 2002, the Sukhoi Design Bureau won Russia?s Fifth Generation Fighter (PAK PA) competition, beating RSK MiG. Previously known as the LFI contest, this project is now Russia?s main effort to retain designation as a combat aircraft-producing country for the next part of the 21st century. The design was frozen in January 2006, opening the way for first flight in 2007. Sukhoi is looking at incorporating French, Indian and Israeli avionics and EW systems.
The proposed weight of the aircraft was 20t, with power from two Lyulka-Saturn AL-41F1 turbofans. It was originally estimated that $1.5 billion would be needed for research and development, with production to increase costs to $10 billion. Sukhoi has so far invested $100 million of its own money in the project, but state funding remains at a low level and full production could slip until 2015. Anticipated funding from potential export customers China and India has so far failed to materialise.
TUPOLEV
Tupolev Public Stock Company, Academician Tupolev Embankment 17, Moscow 111250, Russia. Tel [phone]; fax [phone]; www.tupolev.ru
Tu-22M
Alongside the Tu-95, the Tu-22M will form the backbone of Russia?s long-range strike capability until 2010. The latest M3 variant entered service with the air force and navy in the early 1980s. Tupolev is also working on an upgraded M5 version including new avionics, radar, EW and navigation systems intended to extend service life to 2025, although funding is not assured.
India is still negotiating the purchase or lease of up to four Tu-22M3s for maritime strike duties, while China is reported to be considering the acquisition of surplus Russian aircraft. Ukraine destroyed the last of its 60 aircraft in January 2006.
Tu-95/142
The Tu-95/142 remains in service with the Russian armed forces as a long-range strike and maritime-patrol and reconnaissance platform, 45 years after the first prototype flew. The Tu-95MS/MS6/MS16 remains a key component of the air force?s long-range aviation and an upgrade programme is underway. The Tu-142 ASW aircraft first flew in 1968.
Negotiations to launch a Sea Dragon upgrade for India?s Tu-142s have stalled, leaving the Russian navy as the only likely customer. The Taganrog Beriev Aircraft Scientific and Technical Complex leads efforts to upgrade the Tu-142.
Tu-160
Once in question, the future of the Tu-160 as part of the Russian air force?s long-range strike force was assured when the Kazan Aircraft Production Organisation received a mid-2002 contract to upgrade 15 aircraft, the first of which returned to service late last year.
The supersonic Tu-160 first flew in 1981 and production totalled up to 50 aircraft, including pre-production and prototype examples. One was destroyed in a crash in September 2003 and a replacement was purchased. An upgrade programme is underway, with funding for work on two aircraft budgeted last year.
Tu-330
The Tu-330 is competing in the Russian air force?s medium airlifter competition against Antonov?s An-70 and Ilyushin?s Il-214. The system has 70-75% commonality with the Tu-214 airliner already in production at the Kazan Aircraft Production Organisation, with the two sharing a cockpit, wing and other major systems. The Tu-330 has a wider fuselage and a rear cargo ramp, but is reportedly a long way from its first flight due to continuing funding problems. Russia?s likely withdrawal from the An-70 project could breathe new life into the project.
XIAN AIRCRAFT
Xian Aircraft, PO Box 140-84, Xian 710089, China. Tel : [phone], Fax : [phone]; www.xac.com.cn
JH-7/FBC-1
The JH-7 Flying Leopard is a two-seat maritime strike aircraft for the Chinese navy, where it replaced the Ilyushin Il-28/Harbin H-5. FBC-1 is the export designation for the bomber but to date there are no known foreign customers. Only a few dozen are believed to be in Chinese navy service.
The JH-7 made its debut flight in 1989 but has remained in obscurity since, possibly because the air force has rejected the type in favour of Sukhoi?s Su-27/30.
An upgraded JH-7A is believed to have undergone flight tests at China?s central trials establishment in 2001 and reportedly entered service in 2004. It features an improved radar, night-vision systems and new weapons, including the indigenous C-801K ASM, the Russian Zvezda Kh-31 ? probably the anti-radiation Kh-31P ? and a new Chinese medium-range AAM.
Y-7/MA60 Modern Ark
Chinese copies of the An-24 were initiated in the mid-1960s, although production Y-7s did not start emerging until the early 1990s. A civilian derivative MA60 is also reported to be in Chinese military service. Nepal bought four aircraft, including two in VIP configuration, in September 2005.
A new Y-8F60 version which is aimed at the civil sector but also has military applications was due to fly in July 2005. A MPA variant of the MA60, dubbed the Fearless Albatross, is aimed at filling China?s need for a surveillance aircraft for exclusive economic zone patrol and counter-piracy activities and to back up its territorial claims in East Asia and the South China Sea. The MPA concept was unveiled in November 2001 but Xian is still seeking a launch customer.
YAKOVLEV
Yakovlev Design Bureau Joint Stock Company, 68 Leningradsky Prospekt, Moscow 125315, Russia. Tel [phone]; fax [phone]; www.yak.ru
Yak-130
Yakovlev was selected to meet the Russian air force?s trainer requirement with the twin-turbofan Yak-130 light-attack/advanced jet trainer in early 2002, despite Aermacchi?s decision to go it alone with a Westernised version, the M346.
Early in 2001, Sokol, which builds the trainer, and design bureau Yakovlev signed a deal to build four more prototypes. The third was delivered in March 2006.
The Yak-130 made its first flight in April 2004 at Sokol?s Nizhny Novgorod facility and the Russian air force ordered three production aircraft later that year. The service officially accepted the Yak-130 for flight-testing in late October 2005. Certification and serial production launch is expected this month, when the first squadron is also to be formed. The flight test programme is expected to conclude late next year. Orders for 14 more, with options for 48 aircraft, are expected this year with first deliveries due by late 2006.
RSK MiG, which lost the Russian trainer contest offering the MiG-AT, is now to assist Yakovlev in developing a ground-attack development of the Yak-130.
A requirement to acquire between 150-200 aircraft exists to replace the Russian air force?s fleet of Aero Vodochody L-39 trainers by 2015. Export campaigns are underway with Malaysia and Ukraine listed as key targets. This follows the successful sale to Algeria in March 2006 of 16 aircraft for $700 million for delivery by 2010.
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Document FLIGI00020060608e2660001b